Dilator Device With Flow Restrictor for Sinus Dilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dilator devices for treating sinusitis face challenges in maintaining an inflated or expanded condition and require specialized instrumentation for specific procedures, making them complex and inefficient for use across different dilation sites.
Innovation Solution
A flexible dilator device with a hollow sleeve and expandable bladder that can be used with various positioning instruments, featuring a fluid input with a flow restrictor to maintain inflation and a separable design for extended use, allowing adaptation to different body regions and procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional dilator devices are used, then they can perform dilation function, but they require specialized instrumentation for specific procedures making them complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator device is designed with a universal hollow sleeve structure that can accommodate multiple different positioning instruments (catheters, guidewires, balloons) within its interior space. This allows a single dilator device to perform multiple dilation procedures across different body sites without requiring specialized instrumentation for each procedure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Duration of action of moving object
If dilator device is inflated for extended use, then treatment duration is extended, but maintaining inflated condition becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator device incorporates a flow restrictor within its fluid input mechanism that regulates and maintains continuous fluid flow to the bladder. This ensures the bladder remains reliably inflated for extended treatment durations by preventing fluid loss and maintaining constant pressure, thereby solving the challenge of maintaining inflated condition during extended use.
3Ease of operation
If detachable design is used, then device can be removed from positioning instrument, but reliable maintenance of inflated condition after detachment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator device is designed with a detachable connection between the hollow sleeve and the positioning instrument, allowing the dilator to be separated after positioning. The flow restrictor is integrated into the dilator device itself rather than the positioning instrument, ensuring that inflation maintenance capability remains with the dilator after detachment, thereby enabling both ease of operation and reliable inflation maintenance.
4Productivity
If conventional dilator devices are used, then they can dilate sinus ostia, but they require specialized instruments for each procedure making them inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator device features a universal hollow sleeve structure with sufficient interior volume to accommodate various positioning instruments including catheters, guidewires, and balloons of different types and sizes. This single versatile dilator device can perform multiple dilation procedures (sinus ostia dilation, stent placement, balloon expansion) without requiring specialized instrumentation for each procedure, thereby improving productivity by eliminating the need for multiple specialized instruments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and simplified dilation of various body regions, including paranasal sinuses, by maintaining the expanded bladder position without specialized instruments, facilitating extended treatment and versatility in medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid input has a flow restrictor to maintain inflation
Implementation Method 2
An expandable bladder on a proximal portion thereof... structured to be disposed in an operative position relative to a dilation site
Data Source
AI summary
A dilator device including an elongated flexible material sleeve having a hollow interior extending along a distal portion and a proximal portion thereof. An expandable or inflatable bladder is connected to the distal portion and disposable radially outward from an exterior of the sleeve when in an expanded and/or inflated orientation. The elongated sleeve including a tip having a predetermined configuration that facilitates positioning the elongated sleeve within an intended body part. A fluid input is structured for removable connection to a fluid source and is disposed on the sleeve, in fluid communication with the bladder. An access opening is formed on the proximal portion and is cooperatively dimensioned with the hollow interior to removably receive any one of a plurality of different types of positioning instruments within the sleeve.